Simply days after Elena Rybakina made the shocking announcement that she was reinstating Stefano Vukov as her coach—regardless of ongoing controversy surrounding their skilled relationship—a brand new twist has emerged. The WTA has provisionally suspended Vukov amid an investigation into alleged misconduct. Vukov, who performed a pivotal function in guiding Rybakina to her 2022 Wimbledon victory, now faces accusations of breaching the WTA’s Code of Conduct, as confirmed to BBC Sport.
Stefano VukovRecent developments and suspension particulars
In August 2024, Rybakina ended her five-year partnership with Vukov, a collaboration that yielded important success however was not with out its share of controversy. At first of 2025, Rybakina shocked the tennis world by saying that she would reunite with the Croatian coach for the brand new season. Nonetheless, the 37-year-old is now barred from receiving accreditation for WTA occasions, which prevents him from accessing unique participant areas, together with observe courts and coaching amenities.
The ladies’s tennis governing physique acknowledged, “While the WTA does not typically comment on active investigations, we believe it is necessary to clarify this matter due to recent public statements that misrepresent the situation.” They’ve declined to offer additional specifics at this stage.
It stays unsure whether or not Rybakina herself, or one other social gathering, initiated the grievance in opposition to Vukov. For his half, Vukov denies all allegations, asserting, “I have never abused anyone.”
Longstanding considerations and criticism
Vukov’s interactions with Rybakina have drawn criticism over the previous few seasons. Observers have scrutinized his method of communication, however the exact nature of the alleged misconduct stays undisclosed.
Shriver reignited her critique following Rybakina’s latest announcement of Vukov’s return, utilizing social media to sentence what she described as “cult-like manipulations” in tennis teaching.
A posh teaching panorama
Vukov started working with Rybakina throughout her teenage years, serving to her ascend to the highest tier of ladies’s tennis. The pair parted methods previous to the 2023 US Open, after which Rybakina started a trial partnership with Goran Ivanisevic, a former Wimbledon champion and Novak Djokovic’s longtime coach. Ivanisevic’s representatives have confirmed that his teaching function is being evaluated via the Australian Open.
